Illuminated key case



Jan. 13, 1953 P. T. CRANE I ILLUMINATED KEY CASE Filed Nov. 10, 1950NTOR INVE

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ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEILLUIVIINATED KEY CASE Paul T. Crane, New York, Y. Application November10, 1950, Serial N 0. 195,076

Claims.

' V The present invention relates to a device for holding a plurality ofkeys in a loosely assembled relationship so that any one of the keys maybe selected and moved to a position outside the case for operating alock. The invention further pertains to an electric lamp mounted on thekey case with the lamp bulb being adapted to be energized when one ofthe key holding clasps is moved to a position outside the case.

An object of the invention is to provide a battery and lamp bulb inassociation with a key case so that when one of the clasps holding onekey is moved to a position outside the case with the key in a positionto operate a lock an electric circuit is completed to energize the lampbulb which may then be used to illuminate the key hole in which the keyis to be inserted.

Another object of the invention is to mount a battery supplied lamp on akey case which includes two electrical conducting elements insulatedfrom each other with one element supporting key clasps which serve asswitch members adapted to engage a rib carried by another part of thekey case structure so that the key clasp will be maintained in anextended position bridging an electric circuit for supplying current tothe I lamp bulb.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent as thepresent disclosure proceeds and upon consideration of the accompanyingdrawing and the following detailed description wherein an exemplaryembodiment of the invention is disclosed.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a key case and electric lamporganization exhibiting the inven tion and showing a flap of the keycase in the open position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the parts formounting the key clasps which also form a housing for the battery.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5.

in section.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing A one of the key claspsin the extended position.

The present invention is directed to a device for automaticallyenergizing a lamp bulb when a clasp holding one or more keys is moved toposition a key outside the key case. The clasp serves as a' switch andthe lamp bulb is lighted when the key clasp is in the extended position.The lamp is so arranged as to direct its rays in the same generaldirection as the selected key and may be used to illuminate a key holein which the key is to be inserted. The general organization andstructural elements of a device embodying such features is illustratedin the drawing wherein l l represents a key case which includes aplurality of key holding clasps 9 and ID. A flexible sheet is providedwhich is adapted to be folded over and. cover the clasps 9 and Ill. Theflexible sheet is generally rectangular shaped and a flap portionthereof is of such length as to overlie the key clasps in a closedposition and to maintain the key clasps within the case. The flexiblesheet may be formed of a two-ply construction having an outer layer l2of leather or the like and a fabric liner I4 is stitched to the facingsheet l2 around the perimeter thereof, as shown in dotted lines inFig. 1. A portion of the flexible sheet material is adapted to embracethe flashlight housing for the battery as hereinafter described and tosecure the case to the lamp structure and at the same time to provide apleasing external appearance for the assembly.

A conducting member in the form of a metal plate I6 is provided withinthe key case. The plate IB is provided at one edge with a plurality ofloops I'I spaced from each other as shown in Fig. 2. The loops 1'!provide means for mounting the key clasps 9 and I0 so that any one ofthe clasps may be turned from the position shown in Fig. 5 to a positionoutside the key case. It is for this purpose that the clasps are securedin notches [8 between the loops I? by means of a pin IS. The plate It isflat throughout the portion lying in the key case proper but this platehas an integral part 22 (Fig. 2) which is bent in cylindrical form so asto form a tubular portion of a housing for a dry cell battery 23 of aconventional type. One end of the tubular part 22 extends to a positionflush with an edge 24 of the flexible sheet which forms the key case.

Another plate 26 of electrically conductive material is provided whichhas a contour similar to the plate 16. The plate 26 is provided with arib 2'! which is raised above the upper face of the plate 26 and extendsalong the edge thereof. The rib 21 may be formed by upsetting the sheetmaterial forming the plate 26. The plate 26 carries an integralextension 28 (Fig. 2') which is shaped in cylindrical form and providesanother part of the housing for the battery of the flashlight assembly.One end 3| of the tubular portion 28 terminates flush with an edge 32 ofthe sheet material which forms the key case. The tubular portions 22 and28 are in axial alignment when the plates I6 and 25 are in a juxtaposedrelationship. The end 33 of the tubular portion 28 is then spaced fromthe end 34 of the tubular portion 22 as shown at 3B in Fig. to avoidelectrical contact between these two portions of the cylindricalhousing.

An insulating sheet 31 is provided between the plates 16 and 26 and thisinsulating member may be formed of any suitable material such as fiberor cardboard having an overall shape similar to the plate 26. Theinsulating member 3'! is inter posed between the plates i6 and 26asrshown in Fig. 3 to thereby avoid electrical contact between the flatportions thereof. A plurality of rivets 39 extend through openings 4! inthe plate It and openings 42 in the insulating member 31 and openings 43in the plate 26. These rivets are so constructed and arranged as toavoid placing the plate It in electrical conducting relationship withthe plate 28. The rivets 39 also extend through the flexible sheet ofthe key case to thereby secure the plate assembly to the flexible sheet.This structural relationship provides considerable rigidity tothe'flexible portion of the key case in thevicinity of the juxtaposedplates and further provide means for causing thefiap to hinge along thezone indicated at 46 in Fig. l.

A conventional type dry cell battery ll is mounted in the housingprovided by the tubular portions 22 and 28 of the plates I6 and 26. Theusual cardboard type sheath 48 encases the periphery of the battery 41and prevents electrical contact of the exposed casing electrode of thebattery with the tubular housing portion 23 and the tubular housingportion 22. A lamp bulb 5! having the usual type of threaded base 58 anda centerterminal 53 engages the central tip electrOde of the battery4']. The other terminal of the lamp bulb 5! or the threaded portion 53is maintained in electrical contact with the tubular portion 28 by meansof an apertured cap member 55=removably secured in the tubular portion28. Thus an electric circuit is established between the plate 26 and oneterminal of the lamp as represented by the threads 58. The rear exposedend 59 of the battery 41 is engaged by a helical spring-6| andthisspring is engaged by and compressed by aremovable cap 62 in aconventional manner. lished' fromthe exposed end 59 of the battery 41through the spring GI and the cap 62 to the tubular portion 22 and tothe plate IS.

The flexible material forming the key case proper covers the cylindricalhousing of the flashlight assembly as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The innerlayer 14 is cemented to or adhesively attached to the tubular portions22 and 28 so as to cover the space 36. The end of the flexible materialterminates at 66 as shown in Fig. 3 to provide a covering for thehousing of the flashlight structure. A male fastening element 61 isprovided on the outside of the covering for the flashlight housing. Afemale element 68 is mounted on the free end of the flap which isadapted to V engage the male part 61 when the flap is hinged about thezone 46 to thereby close the key case.

The clasps 9 and Hi are in electrical contact with the plate 16 andaccordingly carry the potential of the rear end 59 of the battery 41.Thus An. electric circuitis thereby estabwhen one of the clasps I0 isswung to an outward position a portion of the clasp adjacent the hingethereof will engage the rib 21. The rib 21 and the plate 26 are inelectrical circuit relation with one terminal of the lamp bulb 5| andaccordingly a circuit is completed from the battery through the lampbulb. Thus the bulb 5| is energized. The lighted lamp may be used forany purpose and particularly to illuminate akey hole in a dark area orat night. When the clasps ID are in the position shown in Fig. 5 thecircuit to the lamp bulb is open and the bulb remains deenergized.

Each of the clasps ID are provided with a lug l I. This lug is formed ofan integral part of the metal strip which forms the clasps and occupiesthe position shown in Fig. 4. The lug H is adapted to engage the rib 21and complete the circuit to the lamp bulb. The lug is resilient and soconstructed as to pass over the highest point of the rib 27 so that thelug Il may occupy a position inwardly beyond therib 2! as shown in Fig.6. Thus the clasp remains in a releasable outer position to avoidtemporary interruption of the circuit from the battery 41. A notch'8l isprovided in the plate 26 So that when the clasp 9 is swung outwardly thelamp is not lighted. When the clasp 9 is moved to the outward positionany one of the other clasps ill may be utilized to bridge the circuitfor energizing the lamp 5| to illuminate the key hole in which the keyon the clasp 9 is to be inserted. Thereafter the key clasp it used toenergize the lamp may be returned to the position shown in Fig. 1 afterthe key on the clasp 9 has been introduced into its key hole. The fla inthe closed position maintains any or all of the clasps in a retractedposition to avoid energization' of the lamp circuit.

While the invention has been described with reference to specificstructural features and with regard to one general organization it willbe appreciated that the invention is directed to automaticallyenergizing the lamp when a key clasp is moved to an extended positionfrom the case. Various changes and modifications may be made in thedetails as well as the organization of the elements without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a key case and electric lamp assembly, a key case, an electricalconductive member mounted on the case, an electrically conductive keyclasp mounted for pivoting movement on said member, a secondelectrically conductive member mountedon the case in a non-conductiverelationship with respect to the first member and having a portion lyingin the path of pivoting movement of the key clasp as it swings to anextended position, an electrical source mounted on the case, meansconnecting one side of the source to one of said members, a lamp bulbmounted on the case, electric circuit means including therein said lampbulb connecting the other side of said source to the other of saidmembers, and an electrically conductive lug on the key clasp forengaging the second member in a full extended position of the clasp toreleasably maintain an electrical circuit from one member to the otherthrough the clasp.

2. A key case and an electric lamp assembly comprising, a key case, anelectrical source carried by the key case, an electrical conductiveterminal member having an edge along one edge of the case, a pluralityof electrically conductive key clasps mounted at spaced intervals alongsaid edge of the terminal member to pivot thereabout to positionsoutside the case and maintain electrical circuit relationships with theterminal member throughout the pivoted movements thereof, a lamp bulbcarried by the case, a second. electrically conductive elongatedterminal member carried by the key case adjacent said edge in a positionto be engaged by any of said c'lasps in swinging to a position outsidethe case, said second terminal member being spaced from the firstterminal member, electric circuit means including said lamp bulbconnecting the other side of said source to the second terminal member,and each of said key clasps being adapted to engage the second terminalmember in pivoting to a position outside the case to energize the lampbulb.

3. A key case and an electric lamp assembly comprising, a key case, anelectrical source carried by the key case, an electrical conductiveterminal member having an edge along one edge of the case, a pluralityof electrically conductive key clasps mounted at spaced intervals alongsaid edge of the terminal member to pivot thereabout to positionsoutside the case and maintain electrical circuit relationships with theterminal member throughout pivoted movements thereof, a lamp bulbcarried by the case, a second electrically conductive elongated terminalmember carried by the key case adjacent said edge in a position to beengaged by any of said clasps in swinging to a position outside thecase, said second terminal member being spaced from the first terminalmember, electric circuit means including said lamp bulb connecting theother side of said source to the second terminal member, each of saidkey clasps being enga-geable with the second terminal member to energizethe lamp bulb, and

a further key clasp mounted to pivot on the first said plate, anelectrically conductive key clasp mounted on said hinge structure topivot thereabout to a position outside the case and maintain electricalcircuit relationship with the plate throughout its pivoted movements, alamp bulb carried by the case, an electrically conductive terminalmember carried by the key case in insulated relationship with respect tosaid plate, electric circuit means including said lamp bulb connectingthe other side of said source to said terminal member, and said keyclasp being adapted to engage said terminal member in pivoting to aposition outside the case to energize said lamp bulb.

5. In a key case and electric lamp combination, a key case, anelectrically conductive member mounted on the case having an edgeadjacent an end of said case, a key clasp mounted for pivoting movementon said member at said edge so to swing to an extended positionoutwardly of the case, a second electrically conductive member mountedadjacent said edge and spaced from the first member and lying in a pathof pivoting movement of the key clasp as it swings to an outwardextended position, an electrical source mounted on the case, meansconnecting one side of the source to one member, a lamp bulb mounted onthe case, electric circuit means including therein said lamp bulbconnecting the other side of said source to the other member, wherebythe lamp bulb is energized when the key clasp swings into engagementwith the second member and electrical contact therewith maintained byretaining the clasp in the extended position.

PAUL T. CRANE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,834,805 Roddis Dec. 1, 19312,201,833 Koelling May 21, 1940 ,393,373 Hendrix Jan. 22, 1946 2,533,518Scott Dec. 12, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 530,249 EnglandDec. 9, 1940

